For instance: Wixom-based Trijicon announced last week it will stop putting biblical blessings on the rifle scopes it provides to the U.S. military. After word got out the company embeds chapter and verse numbers on its sights, a company spokesman said removing them was “prudent and appropriate.“ Ya think?

Call me daffy, but I just don’t think shooting at Afghan Muslim soldiers through a gun referring to Jesus’ words, “Whoever follows me ... will have the light of life“ is good government policy, or good theology for that matter.

Killing people with Christ-branded weaponry sends a badly mixed message both to the Muslim world and to followers of the Prince of Peace.

How about a hand grenade stamped with Matt. 5:44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you“?

But the messages of Scriptural armaments is not what I’m here to talk about. It’s the messages that are killing people on the highway.

In another outbreak of sanity, the federal government this week banned truck and bus drivers from sending text messages while driving. Great idea!

Am I the only one appalled to learn Good Buddy was texting “C U 4 dinner“ while barreling down I-96 at 70 mph? The ban was backed by a study showing texting truckers are 23 more times likely to have a crash or close call.

Punching a keypad while driving is insane no matter what you’re driving. Glance down for two seconds and you’re halfway into the passing lane. No wonder 19 states already have banned the practice for everybody.

The Michigan Senate this week voted to ban texting while driving, which follows a similar move by the House. Gov. Granholm is expected to sign the legislation.

While they’re at it, our state legislators should ban cell phone use while driving, period.

And they should stamp each new driver’s license with the words, “Dude, this means you.“

Brandi Dulin isn’t waiting around. The 18-year-old from Orchard View High School aims to kick the drive-phone habit after slamming into a school bus while reaching for her cell. God bless her. It’s not an easy habit to break, as I am finding out.

Culture demands activity

As a sort of spiritual discipline, I am making every effort to not call while behind the wheel. This despite my cell beckoning like a PBS fundraiser: “Just pick up that phone and call 1-800-FRIENDS. Your people are standing by to talk about that new Tom Petty live CD!”

What I’m resisting here is not just the urge to communicate because I can. It’s a culture that fairly shouts it’s a waste of time to do only one thing at a time.

We are a multitasking people, and not just those young enough to know who Lady Gaga is.

We talk while driving, washing dishes, shopping, because why not get two things done at once? Maybe three if you can call up football scores on your iPhone while talking to Mom at Meijer.

The culture’s message is: time’s a-wasting. Get as much done as you can. And God help you if the driver behind you catches you daydreaming at a green light.

Let’s be mono-taskers

It’s quite a different message from the Scriptural sages: Be still and know that I am God. Or in the vernacular, shut up and listen.

I’m here to advocate mono-tasking. The pleasure of doing just one thing at a time. Fixing a meal. Reading a book. And yes, driving and only driving.

As the Buddhists say, eat when you’re eating, work when you’re working and sleep when you’re sleeping. It’s not that easy to do. But try, and you’ll find yourself enjoying the particularity of what you’re doing and the company of the person you’re with. You also may find your blood pressure going down.

Chances are mono-tasking will make you safer — and certainly more sane.